No South Yarra Metro station: Vic govt

A new South Yarra station won't be included in the Victorian government's plans for the $10.9 billion Melbourne Metro project despite an independent panel recommending the option should be left on the table.

The environmental effects statement for the multibillion dollar project was finalised on Wednesday after experts argued the design should take into account the addition of a South Yarra station down the track.

"The final design should not preclude such an opportunity in the future," the panel's report said.

But Planning Minister Richard Wynne insists a new South Yarra station is "not within the scope of the project".

"The independent panel made some commentary in relation to South Yarra Station but we're very clear that it was not an economically-viable case and we have provided no further assessment of it through my EES process," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"From a cost point of view, you'd lose between 70 and 80 cents for every dollar invested - it actually doesn't make a material significant difference to additional public transport services," she said.

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But both the opposition and the Greens say a South Yarra station is essential.

"There is simply no rational reason to have this new rail line come within 100 metres of the South Yarra station and not have a (metro) interchange," opposition transport spokesman David Hodgett said in a statement.

Under the final environmental plan 119 fewer trees will be felled and only one home will be acquired for works at Kensington instead of 22.

The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will also be asked to take further action to minimise impacts on the community, businesses and surrounding heritage.